Keynote speakers are something I don't always take advantage of, especially if they are not insurance-industry related. The past two conference keynotes, however, were exceptions.
I enjoyed the speakers and found that their messages were conveyed through powerful stories about their lives.
At the Captive Insurance Companies Association conference in March, Eric Wahl, a business professional-turned artist gave a memorable presentation. According to his website, the presentation is meant to uncover "new ways to make your organization more creative, more productive and ultimately, more profitable" by tapping into our inherent creativity.
His presentation, The Art of Change, began with John Lennon's "Imagine" video. While the video played, Wahl began applying paint with his hands to a black canvas propped on an easel on the stage. As the video concluded, his strokes of paint suddenly came to life, taking on the face of John Lennon.
During the course of his talk he created two more paintings which he donated to the International Center for Captive Insurance Education. Mitch Cantor, ICCIE's executive director, said they will be auctioned during the Vermont Captive Insurance Association conference in August, with the proceeds going to ICCIE.
Wahl delivered the message that ordinary people can achieve extraordinary things–like the kid in one video who was a master skateboarder. That kid could jump or climb just about anything with his skateboard, including tall chain link fences. Trust me, it was impressive, and inspirational.
The second speaker was Apollo Ohno, eight-time U.S. Winter Olympic Gold Medal winner and first-place winner of "Dancing with the Stars," season-four. He told a story about his struggles as a youth, torn between developing his talents as a short-track speed skater and hanging out with his friends, getting into trouble.
Ohno was raised by his father, who emigrated from Japan and strove to provide opportunities, both for his son's growth and to keep his son from mischief. Through a number of events, Apollo reached a cross-roads and decided to throw himself totally into his Olympic training. He was relentless. For example, raising his leg-press weights to an almost dangerous amount and eating a regimen of body-building foods, including salmon, salads and hard-boiled eggs, for months at a time without variation.
He decided to push himself to such extremes, realizing that if he gave it his all, and lost, he would have no regrets.
His message, peppered with humor, was to aim our sights even higher than what we think we can achieve. In other words, we shouldn't settle for just we think we might be able to accomplish.
After the fact, I find myself thinking about both of these dynamic people and the lessons they bring.
The next conference I'll be attending, the Bermuda Captive Conference next week, will feature another interesting keynote speaker, Doug Lansky, National Geographic's award-winning author and travel expert
Here's the description: "Doug Lansky is an adventurer, award-winning travel writer, National Geographic and Huffington Post contributor and a world-travel expert who has written books for both Lonely Planet and Rough Guides. He brings the audience along on a global odyssey in his acclaimed, informative, and often hilarious presentations."
Sounds great. I'm in and I'll let you know how it turns out.
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